Need to hook up 3 monitors to my 2020 M1 MacBook Pro

[Sal Collaziano]

Okay, having a little emergency over here. I don't know what's happened to my 2017 27" iMac but it hasn't automatically updated - has missed several updates (still on Big Sur) and when I check for updates, it just spins... I can't use Mac Mail on this computer anymore - as of this morning - as it just makes the whole computer crawl. Unusable.

I have a 2020 MBP with the M1 chip and I'd like to connect my two 27" monitors (one is an old Samsung and the other is a fairly new Asus) AND, if possible, my iMac monitor... Is that possible? What might I need? Some port or another, I assume. Any guidance would be greatly appreciated - or even a link to another discussion that's already talking place here that I just didn't find...

Edited: I thought my model was a 2021...

 

[MRxROBOT]

Okay, having a little emergency over here. I don't know what's happened to my 2017 27" iMac but it hasn't automatically updated - has missed several updates (still on Big Sur) and when I check for updates, it just spins... I can't use Mac Mail on this computer anymore - as of this morning - as it just makes the whole computer crawl. Unusable.

I have a 2021 MBP with the M1 chip and I'd like to connect my two 27" monitors (one is an old Samsung and the other is a fairly new Asus) AND, if possible, my iMac monitor... Is that possible? What might I need? Some port or another, I assume. Any guidance would be greatly appreciated - or even a link to another discussion that's already talking place here that I just didn't find...

1) You luckily have an HDMI port for one monitor.
2) You can purchase a USB C to HDMI cable for the second monitor.
3) For the last monitor, make sure this is your lowest resolution display, you can use a display link adapter.

I'll link what im using to accomplish 2 and 3 below.

uni USB C to HDMI Cable for Home Office 6ft (4K@60Hz), USB Type C to HDMI Cable, Thunderbolt 4/3 Compatible with iPhone 15 Pro/Max, MacBook Pro/Air 2023, iPad Pro, Surface Book 2, Galaxy S23 and More

Fully immerse yourself in 4K Ultra HD within your entertainment space. Just plug in and hit play. Extra durable & Extra freedom. Minimize interference. HDMI 2.0 Ultra High-Def Performance. 4K@60Hz High-resolution. Braided Nylon Cable, Advanced Aluminum Case. Recommended by a trusted testing websi...

www.amazon.com

WAVLINK USB 3.0 to HDMI Universal Video Adapter, Displaylink Chips Supports up to 6 Monitor displays, Compatible with Windows, MacOS, Ubuntu 20.04,22.04,LTS, ChromeOS-Upgrade Version

WAVLINK USB 3.0 to HDMI Universal Video Adapter, Displaylink Chips Supports up to 6 Monitor displays, Compatible with Windows, MacOS, Ubuntu 20.04,22.04,LTS, ChromeOS-Upgrade Version

www.amazon.com

 

[MRxROBOT]

Actually, you cannot connect your iMac as a display the way you are thinking. I thought you had 3 regular monitors. So just buy the cable I linked and make do with 2 monitors until you get your iMac into working order.

 

[Sal Collaziano]

Actually, you cannot connect your iMac as a display the way you are thinking. I thought you had 3 regular monitors. So just buy the cable I linked and make do with 2 monitors until you get your iMac into working order.

Thank you. I think I'm going to order a new Studio setup... That'll probably take a while to get here so what I'll do is buy another new monitor. So I'll have two newer and one older. I imagine what you suggested above will work. Am I right?

 

[MRxROBOT]

Thank you. I think I'm going to order a new Studio setup... That'll probably take a while to get here so what I'll do is buy another new monitor. So I'll have two newer and one older. I imagine what you suggested above will work. Am I right?

Yes, I currently am typing from my MacBook Pro M1 Pro with 3 external monitors connected (4 total displays when you include the built in display). Have yet to have any issues. Runs flawlessly.

Does at least one of your monitors have a resolution equal to or less than 2048x1152? If not, there are higher resolution adapters available, they just cost a bit more is all.

 

[Sal Collaziano]

Thank you. I appreciate you taking the time to help me out here.

 

[MRxROBOT]

Thank you. I appreciate you taking the time to help me out here.

No problem. Happy to help. That display link adapter above will not do 4k, be mindful of that. I'll link some 4k adapters below. The first one can do 4k 30Hz, which I would NOT be able to work with and the second one can do 4k 60HZ, which is ideal but it certainly costs a lot more. It's really up to you. Again, if one of your monitors is HD, then just go with the first one I linked above for $40.

4k 30Hz

StarTech.com USB 3.0 to HDMI Adapter, 4K 30Hz UHD, USB to HDMI Display Adapter, External Adapter for Mac & Windows

StarTech.com USB 3.0 to HDMI Adapter, 4K 30Hz UHD, USB to HDMI Display Adapter, External Adapter for Mac & Windows

www.amazon.com

4k 60Hz

StarTech.com USB 3.0 to Dual DisplayPort Adapter 4K 60Hz, DisplayLink Certified, Video Converter with External Graphics Card - Mac & PC (USB32DP24K60), Black

Now you can connect two 4K HDTVs (large format display), monitors or projectors to your Windows or Mac computer, even if your laptop or desktop video card doesn't natively support 4K output. The USB 3.0 (male) to dual DisplayPort (female) monitor adapter lets you extend or mirror your primary dis...

www.amazon.com

 

[Sanpete]

Yes, I currently am typing from my MacBook Pro M1 Pro with 3 external monitors connected (4 total displays when you include the built in display). Have yet to have any issues. Runs flawlessly.

Does at least one of your monitors have a resolution equal to or less than 2048x1152? If not, there are higher resolution adapters available, they just cost a bit more is all.

It's news to me that you can run three from the M1 Pro. Apple says two. I assume you run all three at once? Good to know.

 

[MRxROBOT]

It's news to me that you can run three from the M1 Pro. Apple says two. I assume you run all three at once? Good to know.

You can run 2 natively. You need one of the display link adapters I linked above for the third to work.

 

[MRxROBOT]

It's news to me that you can run three from the M1 Pro. Apple says two. I assume you run all three at once? Good to know.

It's been discovered that the Mac mini can run up to 6 external displays with this same method (which has the same 2 monitor hard limit like the MacBook Pro). All you need is a few of the display link adapters and enough ports for them to plug into. MacRumors actually had an article on it a while back.

M1 Macs Able to Run Up to Six External Displays Using DisplayLink

It is possible to run up to six external displays from the M1 Mac mini, and five external displays from the M1 MacBook Air and MacBook Pro, with the...

www.macrumors.com

 

[Sal Collaziano]

I ran out and bought this J5Create 13 in 1 USB-C Triple Display docking station:

j5create USB-C Triple Display Docking Station Black JCD543 - Best Buy

Shop j5create USB-C Triple Display Docking Station Black at Best Buy. Find low everyday prices and buy online for delivery or in-store pick-up. Price Match Guarantee.

www.bestbuy.com

Since I only have two USB-C ports on my MBP, one for power and one for plugging in anything else, I figured I needed it. I gave it a shot plugging in two monitors but that didn't work.

I imagine I need to wait for those two adapters you mentioned to arrive in order for this to work. Correct?

No problem. Happy to help. That display link adapter above will not do 4k, be mindful of that. I'll link some 4k adapters below. The first one can do 4k 30Hz, which I would NOT be able to work with and the second one can do 4k 60HZ, which is ideal but it certainly costs a lot more. It's really up to you. Again, if one of your monitors is HD, then just go with the first one I linked above for $40.

4k 30Hz

StarTech.com USB 3.0 to HDMI Adapter, 4K 30Hz UHD, USB to HDMI Display Adapter, External Adapter for Mac & Windows

StarTech.com USB 3.0 to HDMI Adapter, 4K 30Hz UHD, USB to HDMI Display Adapter, External Adapter for Mac & Windows

www.amazon.com

4k 60Hz

StarTech.com USB 3.0 to Dual DisplayPort Adapter 4K 60Hz, DisplayLink Certified, Video Converter with External Graphics Card - Mac & PC (USB32DP24K60), Black

Now you can connect two 4K HDTVs (large format display), monitors or projectors to your Windows or Mac computer, even if your laptop or desktop video card doesn't natively support 4K output. The USB 3.0 (male) to dual DisplayPort (female) monitor adapter lets you extend or mirror your primary dis...

www.amazon.com

 

[MRxROBOT]

I ran out and bought this J5Create 13 in 1 USB-C Triple Display docking station:

j5create USB-C Triple Display Docking Station Black JCD543 - Best Buy

Shop j5create USB-C Triple Display Docking Station Black at Best Buy. Find low everyday prices and buy online for delivery or in-store pick-up. Price Match Guarantee.

www.bestbuy.com

Since I only have two USB-C ports on my MBP, one for power and one for plugging in anything else, I figured I needed it. I gave it a shot plugging in two monitors but that didn't work.

I imagine I need to wait for those two adapters you mentioned to arrive in order for this to work. Correct?

ok, I thought you had the m1 pro MacBook. sorry I misread. I do not see if it's using display link technology to connect. If not, you'll probably be limited to one monitor with that dock.

 

[MRxROBOT]

I would buy this. https://www.amazon.com/CalDigit-USB-C-Gen2-10Gb-SOHO/dp/B08FF3BDW5

Plus this StarTech.com USB 3.0 to Dual DisplayPort Adapter 4K 60Hz, DisplayLink Certified, Video Converter with External Graphics Card - Mac & PC (USB32DP24K60)

You get one HDMI at 4k60 with the soho dock. Connect the Startech adapter to the soho dock and it'll give you another 4k60 monitor + and HD monitor. It will also leave your other USB port free for charging or whatever you might need it for. For a total of 3 external monitors.

That's what I would do in a pinch.

 

[Sal Collaziano]

ok, I thought you had the m1 pro MacBook. sorry I misread. I do not see if it's using display link technology to connect. If not, you'll probably be limited to one monitor with that dock.

Sorry, I must be getting old. I'm making things confusing. I do have a 2021 MBP M1. I only have two ports on the side - I believe they are USB-C.

 

[MRxROBOT]

Sorry, I must be getting old. I'm making things confusing. I do have a 2021 MBP M1. I only have two ports on the side - I believe they are USB-C.

you have a total of 2 ports or 4.

m1 pro has 4 ports
m1 has 2 ports

 

[Sal Collaziano]

you have a total of 2 ports or 4.

m1 pro has 4 ports
m1 has 2 ports

Okay, I see the error of my ways. It's a 2020 MBP M1. It has two ports on the left side. I guess the 2021 has four. I will edit my subject title, if I can...

 

[MRxROBOT]

I do not believe

Okay, I see the error of my ways. It's a 2020 MBP M1. It has two ports on the left side. I guess the 2021 has four. I will edit my subject title, if I can...

Ok I understand, no need to change anything. I recommend going with the products I just linked. I do not see anywhere the j5 dock uses display link. if it does not use display link, it will only output to 1 monitor or mirror the same image to all 3.

 

[Sal Collaziano]

I do not believe

Ok I understand, no need to change anything. I recommend going with the products I just linked. I do not see anywhere the j5 dock uses display link. if it does not use display link, it will only output to 1 monitor or mirror the same image to all 3.

Thank you. I will get the items you suggestion. I appreciate all your help.

 

[MRxROBOT]

Thank you. I will get the items you suggestion. I appreciate all your help.

I just want to make sure I didn't confuse you too much. So make sure you get these 2.

https://www.amazon.com/CalDigit-USB-C-Gen2-10Gb-SOHO/dp/B08FF3BDW5

StarTech.com USB 3.0 to Dual DisplayPort Adapter 4K 60Hz, DisplayLink Certified, Video Converter with External Graphics Card - Mac & PC (USB32DP24K60)

You will need install some drivers for the startech adapter to work. You can find the latest ones below.

DisplayLink GPU Agnostic Display Solutions

Synaptics’ DisplayLink uses software and a device decoder to act as a virtual graphics card, enhancing display capabilities, productivity, and sustainability with adaptive compression technology.

www.synaptics.com

 

[MRxROBOT]

Thank you. I will get the items you suggestion. I appreciate all your help.

You're welcome. I'm happy to have helped.

 

[Momof9]

I do not believe

Ok I understand, no need to change anything. I recommend going with the products I just linked. I do not see anywhere the j5 dock uses display link. if it does not use display link, it will only output to 1 monitor or mirror the same image to all 3.

I DO have the M1Pro and it is supposed to support up to 3 monitors extended. I can get 1 extended, but the other one is mirrored... so trying to figure out how to fix this. My dad had the J5Create and isn't using it.....

 

[robotica]

Why not download the full Mac OS installer and fix the iMac?